Tooth brush



0a. 27, 193e. s ROTHSCHILD 2,059,035

TOOTH BRUSH Filed Feb. 29, '193s Patented ct. 27, 1936 UNITED STATES TOOTH BRUSH Sol Rothschild, Brooklyn, N. Y. l

` Application February 29,` 1936, Serial No. 66,372

19 Claims.

This invention relates in' general to toothbrushes and more particularly to a new and improved type of toothbrush, the scrubbing means of which is power driven. v A further object of this invention is to provide such a brush that can be used daily without damage to the teeth or the enamel thereon and which can be produced at a cost to come within the means of all.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a power driven toothbrush that will thoroughly clean and polish the teeth in a manner .not heretofore enjoyed with the conventionally used brush.

A further object of this invention is to providesuch a power driven toothbrush that will be small .and compact so as to t into the mouth, in substantially the -same manner as conventional toothbrushes, without discomfort.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide such a power driven toothbrush the scrubbing membersof which are removable and replaceable therein.

Still a further object of this invention is to`.

25. provide such a power driven toothbrush with interchangeable means for cleaning or polishing the teeth or for massaging the gums.

These together with other objects will nowv be I more particularly described by referring to the following description and claims herein set forth,

certain embodiments thereof being illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a bottom view of the brush with the scrubbing means omitted.

Figure 2 is a view of the hinged member which holds the scrubbing means.

Figure 3 is a section taken on the line I--I Figure 1 showing the position of the scrubbing means when finally seated'.

Figure 4 is a side elevational View showing how the scrubbing holding means pivots out of the housing.

Figure 5 isa. massage unit of rubber or other material and showing a modified xing means.

45 rangement of the holder.

Referring to the drawing, I0 is a suitable form of handle which can be' constructed to receive a motor II which is connected by the cable I2 to an 50 ordinary light. socket. Said handle being .made of any lightweight suitable. material. On the end of the handle is a watertight housing I3, on

' the bottom of which is arranged a hinged member I4, hinged at I5, which accommodates the 55 scrubbing members.

Figure 6 is abroken section of a modified ar The motor shaft I6 extends through the handle IIJ, which is bored at I1 so as to form a watertight bearing for the motor shaft I 6, and through the housing I3 where it is journaled in the bearing I 8. On the shaft, -in the housing, is provided bevel gears Il). 'I'he housing, shaft and gears be-v ing of rustproof material.

When the hinged member I4 is released by the lock 2D, the lock being shown unlocked by dotted f lines in Figure 1 and shown locked by solid lines, n it is free'to be swung to the position as shown in Figure 4. .When in this position its rotatable f member I4', pivoted at 2I, is free to be rotated as shown in Figure 2, thus opening the bearings 22v and 23 formed on the inside of members I4 and I4' when the rotatable member is closed and in alignment as shown in Figure 1. It should be noted that such an arrangement makes for quick opening of the housing for various purposes, as for example for quick changing of the scrubbing members as purpose may necessitate. It is obvious other suitable arrangements for opening the housing and bearings may be devised without departing from the invention.

The scrubbing members are preferably made with a disc 24 in which is xed the bristles or other means 25 and extending from the other side of the disc is a short shank 26 having on its end a bevel gear 21 preferably made with a shoulder 50 thereon. Arrangement of bristles shown is preferred.

When it is desired to insert the scrubbing members in the holder, the hinged member I4 is swung out/of the housing, as above described, and its rotatable member I4' rotated so as to open up the bearings 22 and 23 which are' designed in length and diameter to accommodate the shanks 26 of the scrubbing members. The scrubbing members are seated in-place and the rotatable member I4 vis rotated into proper alignment so as to form perfect seating andperfect bearings for the scrubbing members.

The hinged member I4 is then pushed back into the housing until it is seated firmly on the rabbet joint 28 formed on the insidewalls of the housing I3. In this position the Vbevel gears 21 on the scrubbing members mesh with the bevel gears I 9 on the motor shaft and the lock is pushed'over l with relation to the shaft. It is obvious, however, these gears may be any desirable size or ratio.

Now it should be noted that this invention fully contemplates other arrangements that would give, for instance, reciprocal action circularly, or to and fro action longitudinally and other actions that would move the scrubbing means, but, I prefer the arrangement shown here giving circular action only, which conclusion I came to after exhaustive research, the result indicating that most dentists prefer such circular action for thoroughly cleaning the teeth. This action was particularly recommended for cleaning in between the teeth where most tooth decay usually starts. It is obvious that a single scrubbing member may be used in place of a plurality of scrubbing members, if desired.

It is evident, I am certain, that no tooth brush which is dependent upon the user for results can get such perfect results as my power driven brush, as, most people not only do not give proper time to the brushing of their teeth but almost always use a tooth brush incorrectly. My power driven brush will not only vsave time but will brush the teeth clean and in the correct manner, namely, with a circular motion such as is recommended by the dental profession.

As a further result of my research, it has come to my attention that if people would massage their gums regularly every day they would be less apt to encounter tooth decay or other tooth ailments as massaging ofthe gums increases the circulation about the roots of the teeth and makes for healthier teeth. Therefore, this invention fully contemplates such accessories that may be interchangeable with the scrubbing members in my holder for the purpose of massaging the gums, such as members having scrubbing means of rubber, felt or other materials. When materials such as these are employed, especially for massage purposes, it is highly desirable that the scrubbing members be driven at a lower speed than when bristles are employed. This is obviously accomplished by a higher gear ratio ofthe bevel gears beforedescribed. Now with regard to the various scrubbing members just mentioned, it should be noted that the construction of my brush besides providing for the quick changing of the various scrubbing members (without taking the instrument apart) also permits different types of scrubbing members to be held in the holder at the same time, for example, a cleansing and a polishing member or any other desired combination.

In Figure 6 I show a modified arrangement of my holder in which the housing I I3 may be made completely sealed. This is made possible by a different arrangement of the scrubbing members, as shown in Figure 5, for instance, wherein the bristles, rubber or other materials |25 are fixed in a separate disc |24, which disc is drilled and tapped at |00. The other parts of the scrubbing members, before described, are now incorporated and fixed in the housing and take the form of a shank |26 having on its inside end a bevel gear |21 and on its outside end a collar |0| and a screw |00. This part is permanently fixed inthe bearing |22, which is made watertight, so that its bevel gear |21 is in mesh with the bevel gear H9 on the shaft H6. When it is desired to use the brush the scrubbing members are fixed in place by means of the tapped bore |00 in the disc |24 engaging in male and female relationship with the screw |00. The pitch of said bore |00 and screw |00 is naturally made so that the scrubbing to be conned to this arrangement, nor to shapes of its parts, nor to the particular action of the scrubbing members, .as it is evident other arrangements and shapes of parts can be devised as well as other actions of the scrubbing members without departing from the scope of my invention as set forth.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as a new article of manufacture is:

1. A tooth brush comprising a handle, rotatable scrubbing members, a motor means in one end of said handle, a housing on the other end of said handle opposite the motor, means in said housing for detachably holding the scrubbing members, said second named means having means therein for holding said scrubbing members in a predetermined fixed position, said second named means being movable for opening and closing same for the insertion therein and the removal therefrom of said scrubbing members, said housing having cooperative means for holding said second named means in predetermined fixed position, and means for engaging said scrubbing members with said motor means whereby the scrubbing means will be rotated.

2. A compact tooth brush comprising, a handle, motor means in said handle, a housing on the end of said handle, a motor shaft extendingintoi said housing and having drive elements thereon connected to said motor means, said housing having an operable member for opening and closing said housing, said member having bearings therein and being operable whereby said bearings may be opened and closed for the quick insertion therein or the quick removal therefrom of scrubbing members, said scrubbing members having means thereon for engaging with the drive elements on the motor shaft whereby the scrubbing members are actuated, and means on said housing for locking said operable member in predetermined xed position and releasing same therefrom.

3. A compact tooth brush comprising, a handle, motor means in said handle, a housing on the end of said handle, a motor shaft extending into said housing and having drive elements thereon connected to said motor means, said housing having an operable member for opening and closing said housing, said member having bearings therein and being operable whereby said bearings may be opened and closed for the quick insertion therein or the quick removal therefrom of scrubbing members, said scrubbing members comprising scrubbing means fixed in a one piece element which element takes the shape of a plate with the scrubbing means fixed on one side and a shank extending from the other side and having means thereon for engaging with the drive elements on the motor shaft whereby the scrubbing means .will be rotated, said housing having means therein for locking said operable member in predetermined fixed position and releasing same therefrom, and said operable member having 7o bers will be actuated.

antenas means therein for keeping the means on the scrubbing members in engagement With the motor means. y

4. A tooth brush comprising a handle, scrubbing members, motor means in one end of said handle, a housing on the other end of said handle opposite the motor, operable means in said housing for holding scrubbing members, said operable means having means therein for holding said scrubbing members in a' predetermined fixed position and for permitting the scrubbing members to freely rotate therein, said operable meansfbeing movable to and from the housing, said housing having cooperative means therein for holding said operable means in predetermined fixed position so that only a part of the scrubbing members for cleaning will project outside of the housing, and means for engaging said scrubbing members with said motor means whereby the scrubbing means'will be rotated.

'5. A tooth brush comprising a handle, a motor means in said handle, a drive shaft extending' thru said handle and into a housing on the end, of said handle, said drive shaftattached to said motor, said housinghaving an opening for admission thereinto, said opening having an operable door attached thereto for opening and closing said opening, said door containing bearings for holding scrubbing members, said bearings being operable to open and close same to permit the insertion therein or the removal therefrom of scrubbing members, said scrubbing members being equipped with drive elements, said shaft having drive mechanisms thereon coacting with said drive elements on said scrubbing members. A 6. A tooth brush as described in .claim 5 and -means forming. pa'rt of said bearings for holding said drive elements von said scrubbing members in positive engagement with said drive mechanisms on said shaft. l Y

7. A compact tooth brush comprising, a handle, scrubbing members, a motor means-in one end of said handle, a housing on'v the other end of said handle opposite the motor, a motor shaft connected to said motor extending into said housing, means in said housing for holding said scrubbing members, said means being. movablerinto and out of theA housing, means forming part of the housing forpredeterminedly fixing the `position of said last means when-moved into said housing, means for locking same in said position, and means for engaging said scrubbingmembers with said motor shaft whereby the scrubbing members will be actuated. l

y 8. A tooth brush comprising, a handle, scrubbi'ng members, motor means in one end of saidhandle, a housing on the other end of said handle opposite the motor, a motor shaft connected with said motor'means extending into said housing, means in said housing for, holding scrubbing members, said means being movable into and out .of the housing, means forming part of said housing for predeterminedly fixing the position of said last means when moved into said housing so that only a part of the scrubbing'members for cleaning `will be exposed fromsaid housing, means for locking same in said position, and

means for engaging said scrubbing members with said motor shaft whereby the scrubbing mem- 9. A tooth brush comprising, a handle, a motor means in said handle, a drive shaft connected of said handle opposite the motor means, said housing having an opening, a hinged member for closing said opening, said hinged member having bearings therein, said hinged member comprising operable members movable in relation to each other whereby said bearings may be opened and closed for the insertion therein or the removal therefrom of scrubbing members, said scrubbing members being equipped with drive elements, said drive shaft having drive-mechanisms thereon coacting with said drive elements on said scrubbing members, and positive means for holding said drive mechanisms on said shaft in engagement with said drive elements-on said scrubbing members.

l0. A tooth brush comprising, a handle, a motor means in said handle, a drive shaft connected therewith', said drive shaft extending through said handle and into a housing on the other end of said handle opposite the motor means, said housing having an opening for accommodating a hinged member for closing said opening, said hingedl member having bearings therein, said hinged member comprising operable. members movable in relation to each other whereby said bearings may be opened and closed for the insertion therein or the removal there- -from of scrubbing members, said scrubbing members being equipped with drive elements, said drive lshaft having drive mechanisms thereon coacting with said drive elements on said scrubbing members, and positive Vmeans for holding said drive mechanisms on said shaft in engagement with said drive elements on said scrubbing members, and positive means for holdingsaid movable members which are operative for opening and closing the bearings to keep said bearings closed when moved into closed bearing rev lationship.

1l. A tooth brush comprising, a handle, a motor means in said handle, a drive shaft extending through-said handle and into a housing on the other end of said handle opposite the motor means, said drive shaftV connected with said mob'ers being equipped with drive elements, said drive shaft having drive mechanisms thereon coacting with said drive elements on said scrubbing members, and cooperative means forming part of said bearings and said scrubbing members for preventing said drive elements on said scrubbingmembers yfrom moving out of engagement with the drive mechanisms on said shaft.

l2. A tooth brushor the teeth and thel like comprising a handle, a motor in said handle, a drive shaft attached to said motor, said shaft extending through said handle and into a housing on one end of said handle,'operative bearings forming part of said housing for holding scrubfbing members equipped with drive elements,

said bearings being operative to permit, the insertion therein or the removal therefrom of scrubbing members, and drive mechanisms on said' motor shaft adapted to coact with said drive elements on said scrubbing members whereby the scrubbing members will be actuated.

i3. A tooth brush comprising, a handle, sc bbing members, a motor means in said handle, an operatable means on one end of said handle for holding said scrubbing members, said means being operatable for the insertion therein and the removal therefrom of scrubbing members, drive means on said scrubbing members for engaging With drive mechanisms xed on a motor shaft connected with said motor means whereby the motor means actuates the scrubbing members, positive means fr holding said drive means on said scrubbbing members in engagement with the drive mechanisms on said motor shaft, means for locking said operatable means for retaining said scrubbing members therein, and means for holding same in a predetermined xed position.

14. A tooth brush comprising, a handle, a motor in said handle, a drive shaft extending thru said handle and into a housing on the end of said handle, said drive shaft attached to said motor, said housing having an opening for admission thereinto, said housing having a movable member attached thereto for opening and closing said opening, said movable member containing bearings which are operable to be opened and closed ,for the insertion therein or the removal therefrom of scrubbing members, said bearings containing means for xing said scrubbing members in predetermined fixed position therein so that they Will be free to rotate therein, said scrubbing members being equipped with drive elements, said shaft having drive mechanisms thereon adapted to coact with said drive elements on said scrubbing members.

15. A tooth brush comprising, a handle, scrubbing members, means on said handle for holding said scrubbing members, said means comprising operable members movable in relation to each other for opening and closing same for the insertion therein and the removal therefrom of said scrubbing members, means forming part of said last means for holding said scrubbing members in a predetermined fixed position therein, and positive means for actuating said scrubbing members.

16. A tooth brush comprising, a handle, scrubbing members, a housing on said handle, said housing comprising members movable in relation to each other, oneof said members comprising means for holding said scrubbing members, said last member being movable towards and away from said housing to open and close said housing, and positive means for actuating said scrubbing members.

17. A tooth brush comprising, a handle, scrubbing members, a housing on said handle, said housing comprising a plurality of parts, said parts being movable in relation to each other, said moving parts comprising means for holding scrubbbing members, said means which holds said scrubbing members being adapted to be opened and closed as said movable parts are moved in relation to each other, and positive means for actuating said scrubbing members.

18. A tooth brush comprising, a handle, scru bing members, a housing on said handle, means connected with said housing for holding scrubbing members therein, said last means comprising a plurality of parts, said parts containing concurring means cooperative With means on said scrubbing members for holding said scrubbing members in a predetermined xed position in said holding means, and positive means for actuating said scrubbing members.

19. A compact tooth brush comprising, a handle, a scrubbing member, a housing on said handle, said housing having an opening, means for closing said opening, said last means containing' means for holding said scrubbing member, said means being movable both toward and away from said housing, and positive means for actuating said scrubbing member.

SOL ROTHSCHILD. 

